The foldable phone market is maturing, with Apple finally entering the fray with the iPhone Fold. This presents a fascinating contrast to Samsung’s established Galaxy Z Flip 5G, a device prioritizing portability and style. We dissect the core differences – Apple’s silicon advantage versus Samsung’s refined foldable design – to determine which device reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Apple iPhone Fold is the clear winner thanks to its cutting-edge A19 Pro chipset. However, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G offers a compelling package for those valuing pocketability and a more established foldable experience, at a potentially lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, Canada |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 41, 77, 78, 79 Sub6 - China, Hong Kong |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 41, 66, 71 Sub6 - Canada |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Exp. announcement 2026 | 2020, July 22 |
| Status | Rumored | Available. Released 2020, August 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Amorphous alloy frame | Plastic front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | - | Unfolded: 167.3 x 73.6 x 7.2 mm Folded: 87.4 x 73.6 x 17.3 mm |
| SIM | eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | - | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1920 x 2713 pixels (~428 ppi density) | 1080 x 2636 pixels (~425 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.76 inches, 183.2 cm2 | 6.7 inches, 101.6 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Foldable LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ | Foldable Dynamic AMOLED, HDR10+ |
| | - | Cover display:
Super AMOLED, 1.1 inches, 112 x 300 pixels |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (1x3.09 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.40 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 650 |
| OS | iOS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS
12 MP, f/2.8, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 5x optical zoom
48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF
TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)
* camera details are illustrative, no rumored information is available | - |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, 3D (spatial) video/audio, stereo sound rec. | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+ |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec. | HDR |
| Single | 4 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 2.0µm, under display
Cover camera:
12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS | 10 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1.22µm |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | - | 32-bit/384kHz audio
Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | - | Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wired | 15W wired
9W wireless |
| Type | 5500-6000 mAh | Li-Po 3300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black; other colors | Mystic Grey, Mystic Bronze, Mystic White |
| Models | - | SM-F707B, SM-F707N, SM-F7070, SM-F707U, SM-F707U1, SM-F707W |
| Price | About 2500 EUR | About 800 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.80 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.80 W/kg (head) 1.45 W/kg (body) |
Apple iPhone Fold
- Unmatched processing power with the A19 Pro.
- Likely superior camera performance and image processing.
- Potential for longer battery life due to 3nm efficiency.
- Potentially larger and less pocketable form factor.
- Price is expected to be significantly higher.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G
- Highly portable and pocketable design.
- More affordable price point.
- Established foldable technology and software optimization.
- Older Snapdragon 865 chipset is less powerful.
- Battery life and charging speeds are moderate.
Display Comparison
While specific display specs for the iPhone Fold are unavailable, Apple typically prioritizes color accuracy and brightness. The Z Flip 5G’s display, though smaller, benefits from Samsung’s expertise in foldable panel technology. The A19 Pro’s image signal processor will likely drive superior display calibration on the iPhone Fold. The Z Flip 5G’s 9W wireless charging suggests a focus on convenience, but the iPhone Fold’s wired charging, while details are missing, will likely be faster given Apple’s recent advancements. The Z Flip 5G’s smaller form factor means a smaller cover screen, impacting quick glance functionality.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera details for the iPhone Fold, we can assume Apple will leverage its computational photography prowess. The Z Flip 5G’s camera system, while competent, is likely to be outmatched by the iPhone Fold’s processing capabilities. The A19 Pro’s ISP will enable superior noise reduction, dynamic range, and detail capture. The Z Flip 5G’s camera is adequate for social media, but the iPhone Fold is expected to deliver professional-grade image and video quality. The absence of detailed camera specs for the iPhone Fold suggests Apple is focusing on overall image quality rather than megapixel count.
Performance
The Apple A19 Pro, built on a 3nm process, represents a significant leap in efficiency and performance over the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G’s Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7nm+). The Snapdragon 865’s octa-core configuration (1x3.09 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.40 GHz Cortex-A77, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) is capable, but the A19 Pro’s architectural improvements and higher transistor density will translate to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior graphics performance. The 3nm node also implies better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. Users heavily invested in mobile gaming will see a substantial benefit from the iPhone Fold’s chipset.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G offers 15W wired and 9W wireless charging, indicating a moderate battery life focus. The iPhone Fold’s charging details are currently limited to ‘wired,’ but Apple’s advancements in power management suggest a potentially faster charging solution. The A19 Pro’s 3nm efficiency will contribute to improved battery life despite potentially housing a similar capacity battery to the Z Flip 5G. Real-world usage will determine the true battery performance, but the A19 Pro’s efficiency gives the iPhone Fold an edge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPhone Fold if you need uncompromising processing power for demanding tasks like video editing or gaming, and appreciate a larger, more tablet-like experience when unfolded. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G if you prefer a highly portable, stylish device that easily fits in a pocket, and prioritize a more affordable entry point into the foldable phone world.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 865 in the Z Flip 5G struggle with demanding games?
The Snapdragon 865 is a capable chipset, but it will likely exhibit more thermal throttling and lower frame rates in graphically intensive games compared to the A19 Pro in the iPhone Fold. Users prioritizing mobile gaming should strongly consider the iPhone Fold.
❓ How does the foldable hinge durability compare between the iPhone Fold and Z Flip 5G?
Samsung has had several generations to refine the hinge mechanism on the Z Flip series, resulting in a relatively robust design. Apple’s hinge durability on the iPhone Fold remains to be seen, but Apple’s rigorous testing procedures suggest a high level of reliability. Long-term durability will require real-world testing.
❓ Does the Z Flip 5G's cover screen offer sufficient functionality without unfolding the phone?
The Z Flip 5G’s cover screen is useful for quick notifications and basic controls, but its limited size restricts its overall functionality. The iPhone Fold, potentially having a larger unfolded screen, may offer a more versatile experience even when partially utilized.
